Day two of Handmade Christmas Challenge

By on November 15, 2009 in Handmade Christmas Challenge

Here goes Day number two…  Todays theme is gifts for the men in our lives.  This one was definetely a challenge but I rounded up a nice bunch of ideas.  There may be a sprinkling of ideas more to come but for now, here are ideas for guys.

This is my favorite:  Beer Soap (don’t worry if you don’t know how to make soap, this one uses ivory soap) with olive oil, oatmeal, vanilla and the guys favorite, BEER!  I was thinking of how to package it and if you don’t want to make cute labels like this one, then I thought you could patiently peel the labels off the beer bottles and wrap them around the soap bars.  I really can’t think of a guy on my list who wouldn’t want one.

And what could go better with beer soap but some beer dressed for the occasion with this knitted beer sweater (don’t worry if you are a crocheter, I wrote a pattern for a beer cozy and as soon as I find my patterns notebook I will post it at Crunchy Crochet)

How about some Ipod Cozies, this one looks really cute but manly and here is a different variation.

When you have an Ipod, it is good to have a place to keep it… tada!!

Here is a great gift and also a great recycle project, now come on are you still trying to tell me store bought is better,  where would you find something this unique?
You could call this an ibook!!  Very cute huh!

Another good idea:  my husband is a neat freak and his car is always spotless, if your gift recipient loves a neat car then this gift is for him, if not then maybe he really could use a car trash bag even more.  Finnyknits makes this trash receptacle look good and you could use whatever fabric, you could even make it with a sports fabric or logo.

Of course the easiest way to go with the men folk is right to the stomach.  You could make a basket with beef jerky, cookies, treats but I thought of an even better thing to include in your basket… chocolate covered bacon, yum!!!  As my daughter looked on with disbelief in her eyes and my hubby looked on with love in his eyes I knew this had to be something good.  Here is the recipe  This treat is so easy and I can’t wait to eat, um I mean give this to my own guy.

I was pretty much on my own for this guy challenge but my hubby threw a few more ideas my way:
Embroidered hankys, Embroidered boxers (apparently Poppa says they like anything with their name on it)
Crocheted beanie or ski cap (there are so many free patterns for this one I will leave the googling to you)
Old t-shirts quilt.
Car wash set

Oh,  I forgot one to go with the beer soap,  this is another genius but oh so simple, why didn’t I think of that project from kootoyoo.  An embroidered soap saver bag.  The way this one is made it is done to look like a tea bag but I would embroider the recipients name on the tag instead (you do it however you like)

Alright, this should keep you busy.

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Day one of Handmade Christmas Challenge

By on November 15, 2009 in Handmade Christmas Challenge
So, so sorry to get this up for the first day of the challenge so late, I hope I did not dissapoint anyone but we have had quite a day here.  Our day started at 6 AM so we could get the boys to their soccer games by 7:15 AM, crazy isn’t it?  We had to take them out for a celebratory breakfast and then home to get the challenge posted.  Well,  that was the plan but we came home to a horrible event.  As we were getting out of the van (Poppa always gets out first)  I see him dart around to the side of the house, screaming and ripping off his jacket he is chasing after something.  So we all jump out and find one of our beautiful chickens (girls) half dead on the floor and Poppa is chasing two very big dogs off our property.  She was still breathing and all we could do was hold her as her neck was broken and she was bleeding profusely.  We held her and comforted her until she breathed no more.  We then accessed the other coops to find they got away with 4 of our Pekin ducks.  Tears covered every face.  Poppa wasted no time and followed the pack of dogs to a nearby ranch and after talking with neighbors found the owners house.  The deputy was dispatched and we were told that those dogs are quite the problem and aggresive. I thank God that Poppa was not hurt by those dogs but he did what Poppa’s do, he defended his farm.  The owner has offered to reimburse us for our “livestock”.  They are not livestock, they are part of our lives and they will be missed.
So I am sorry to have made you wait but it was a bad day.
I am working on some chicken and duck softies to remember our beautiful feathered egg providers and I will post a free tutorial when I am done.
I want to thank everyone who has been sending in the greatest ideas for the challenge,  I have so many to post in the coming days and weeks so don’t miss it.  Oh,  I wanted to post another rule, Don’t get stuck on the web getting ideas, get a good idea and get off the computer and get to work on that gift.
Here we go:
Freezer paper stencil or as I call it, Freezer paper silk screen because to me that is what it most reminds me of.  You can put any simple picture or image on a tshirt or piece of fabric.  Micheals now sells a machine that does this but it is more than $200.00 and you can do the same thing for the price of some freezer paper (not wax paper) and some fabric paint.  I think of cute onesies with catchy phrases or a baby or childs name but this one can cover even your hard to shop for brother in law (if you know what he likes)

Here is a shirt from the Angry Chicken to give you a simple but cute example, check out her and another tutorial here and here


How about a embroidered tea light or candle holder by kootoyoo (this one is genius and so simple but really creative) there are also some other great ideas on the same page as the tea light so check them out- kootoyoo is really a genius.



Keeping with the fabric theme, here is another really nice one and if you are giving someone a little gift card, you have a place to put it. A fabric wallet from Lola Nova complete with tutorial.

This one is near and dear to my heart since I love to save money.  For the coupon queen/king in your life a shopping cart coupon caddy from Blue Cricket Design.  Lots of pics to help you get it done.

Many of these items you can make with materials you already have at home.  Think of fabric that is unused, unloved and un-needed in your home.  You don’t have anything? What about that shirt that you never wore but there is something about it that you like and so you never donated it, that pair of pillowcases that are hiding in the back of your linen closet, a table cloth you have no use for, use your imagination.  Spending money at the fabric store is not going to improve your creativity (although I should not be one to speak on this subject)  if you must go out and buy some fabric then you must but you don’t have to.
I have so so many ideas for tomorrow so stay tuned.
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